Industrial spaces carry a significant risk of accumulating moisture, which can wreak havoc on the interior structure, machinery, and inventory. In addition, the accumulation of humidity inside manufacturing plants and working environments can deplete employee morale and performance.
After finding out your warehouse or industrial workspace has been compromised by the accumulation of moisture, you’ll want to immediately remedy the situation.
Humidity & Moisture Problems in Industrial Spaces
Cracked windows, door gaps, and openings where warm air can enter are the biggest culprits for humidity and moisture problems inside industrial spaces. Humidity is typically worse at night when surface materials—floors, ceilings, and machinery—reach their dew point when the warm air cools, causing moisture accumulation. Rust, rot, and sweating concrete floors can result, placing significant safety compliance issues and financial responsibility on companies and their employees.
Industrial dehumidifiers can significantly reduce the problem associated with humidity and moisture by providing supplemental airflow throughout factories and warehouses during the day and at night, when moisture becomes a concern.
Selecting the Correct Industrial Dehumidifier
Before making any selection, consider these specific variables when selecting your industrial dehumidifier:
- Cubic Footage: The cubic footage and the ceiling height tend to factor into the recommended unit and how many are needed.
- Relative Humidity: Consider how high the relative humidity can rise in the summer and how often bay doors are opened for shipments; this can significantly raise your relative humidity.
Other factors that play into customer decisions include their ideal relative humidity for employees and inventory, how tightly the building is sealed, and how many employees are in the warehouse.
Compressor and desiccant dehumidifiers both work well at eliminating humidity, depending on your specific conditions. For businesses who prefer their relative humidity to be below 35% or whose significant dehumidification needs to be performed in sub-zero temperatures, a desiccant dehumidifier would be recommended. Standard conditions would be ideal for refrigerant dehumidifiers.
To determine which type of dehumidifier—compressor or desiccant—is best for your specific environment, take a look at this article for additional information on both types.
Refrigerant Dehumidifiers
Most dehumidifiers work by pulling damp air across cold coils filled with refrigerant. When this moist air hits the cooler coils, condensation is formed, which is collected internally or drained. Many industrial dehumidifiers have an internal pump that allows water to be pumped vertically into a collection area.
It is also highly recommended to install dehumidifiers with automatic humidity control or with onboard dehumidistats, like the Ebac CD30 Industrial Dehumidifier or the Quest Hi-E Dry Model 120.
Models with automatic humidity control or an onboard dehumidistat allow you to preset your ideal conditions and allow the dehumidifier to monitor the RH, running only when needed. Refrigerant dehumidifiers work well under standard conditions where the ambient temperature is stable and moisture conditions do not worsen.
Desiccant Dehumidifiers
Desiccant dehumidifiers work a little differently from their refrigerant counterparts, as they use the process of adsorption with a desiccant wheel to capture moisture from the air. This wheel slowly rotates, removing moisture from the air, most of which is returned to the space. A small portion of the air is regenerated by an internal heater and flows back through the desiccant wheel to remove accumulated moisture before being expelled back into the space.
The benefits of this system include:
- No Frost Accumulation: There is no frost accumulation because these systems collect water via absorption instead of cooling condenser coils.
- Lower Temperature Operation: Without cooling coils and water absorption in the desiccant wheel, the desiccant dehumidifiers are optimal for use where temperatures can drop as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
- No Condensate: Since the silica gel is regenerated by warmed air, there is condensate accumulation that needs to be removed.
The Ebac DD300 Desiccant Dehumidifer is great for eliminating up to 69 pints of moisture in spaces up to 1,100 square feet.
Other Things to Consider
Maintain a Clean Work Environment
Keeping your warehouse or office space clean is a great way to monitor moisture, machinery, and your inventory. Carefully inspect the structure and check for damage, which could lead to additional stress on the building.
Look for moisture or water damage, and inspect piping and windows where humid air and moisture can easily leak inside. Finally, this will help you watch for and treat signs of mold and mildew.
Watch Inventory
If there is inventory on site, products should be stored up and out of the way. Inspect the packaging, and consider placing the product where it can be easily accessed or inspected if there is a potential for moisture damage. Occasional rotation of products should also help alleviate any concerns, heading off any potential problems before they arise.
Less Work on AC Systems
AC and HVAC systems work to eliminate moisture from the surrounding air, but they do not provide the efficiency of a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers, when used in conjunction with an HVAC system, efficiently remove more moisture, allowing you to turn up your thermostat.
In Summary
Controlling humidity in industrial spaces can be difficult because these areas aren't as insulated as residential spaces. A powerful dehumidifier is the best way to avoid high humidity issues.
Still Have Questions?
If you’re still unsure, you can always call the experts at Sylvane to discuss the right industrial dehumidifier for your warehouse space. Check out our Dehumidifier Buying Guide to help guide your selection and gain more information on our line of dehumidifiers.
